FilAms urged to join Sept. 21st People’s Climate March

On September 21, 2014, people in and near New York City will have a historic opportunity to make an impact on climate change by joining the People’s Climate March.

In September, the United Nations is convening the world’s top leaders for a summit on the climate crisis. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging governments to support an ambitious agreement to dramatically reduce global warming pollution.

What promises to be a historic march — one of the largest in the country’s history– this march is hopefully the beginning of a movement to prod leaders from inaction, to establishing laws and policies to deal with pollution and the ravages of climate change, said the organizers in a statement.

As the anniversary of typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda approaches, Filipino Americans in particular, are being asked to join this march, since the Philippines is one of the first countries to suffer from the effects of climate change.

“Filipino-Americans have a responsibility to respond to this historic moment,” said preservationist architect Roz Li, who is campaigning for Filipino participation in the march. “By having a large presence, we are exercising our power to move our leaders to do the right thing.”

She urged FilAms to join the march with friends and family. Specifically, she is calling on community organizations to encourage their members to participate.

“I think this march is as much a FilAm issue as an international one, because the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable places on earth and will suffer the most impact from climate change,” said Roz, who is also the founder of Bakas Pilipinas, an organization seeking to raise awareness on the preservation of historic architecture and sites in the Philippines.

With President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino coming to New York for the UN General Assembly, Roz said, “We need to get his attention, as well as all the world leaders to take necessary steps to deal with these issues.”

Organizations that wish to participate should register their groups with the People’s Climate March organizers so they can be assigned a street location and a time for marching.

“There are many FilAms who want to march but do not know who to march with,” she said. “They are looking for information. Individuals and groups can look for religious groups to affiliate with.” Roz said she is marching with the Zen Center of NYC.

“Be part of history,” she said. “Nothing moves public opinion more effectively than the massive presence at people’s marches.”

To join, check in with the groups on the People’s Climate March website: http://peoplesclimate.org

You can also learn more by watching this film online: http://watchdisruption.com